Federal Judge Strikes Down Alabama's Ban on Same-Sex Marriage

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Jan. 24, 2015 / 12:34 AM GMT / Updated Jan. 24, 2015 / 12:31 AM GMT

A federal judge in Mobile, Alabama, on Friday struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage, bringing the number of states that allow same-sex couples to marry to 37.

"There has been no evidence presented that these marriage laws have any effect on the choices of couples to have or raise children, whether they are same-sex couples or opposite-sex couples. In sum, the laws in question are an irrational way of promoting biological relationships in Alabama," wrote Federal District Court Judge Callie V.S. Granade.

Granade did not put a hold on the effect of her ruling, but the state's attorney general, Luther Strange, said he would seek one. "We are disappointed and are reviewing the federal district court's decision. We expect to ask for a stay of the court's judgment pending the outcome of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling, which will ultimately decide this case," his office said in a written statement.

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed last week to take up the marriage issue in April, with a decision due by late June.